‘Mini-cloudbursts’ are on the rise: IMD chief , Pg1

Key Highlights:

• IMD reports no increasing trend in cloudbursts but notes a rise in mini-cloudbursts.
• September 2025 rainfall is expected to be above normal, exceeding the average by 9%.
• Northwest India received 26% more rainfall than usual during the monsoon season.
• The Union Home Ministry has formed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) to assess flood damage in affected states.
• The Centre has released ₹10,498.80 crore to 24 States for relief assistance in 2025-26.

Detailed Insights:

• Rainfall from June to August 2025 was 6% above normal, aligning with IMD's May forecast.
• Eastern and northeastern India experienced 17% less rainfall than usual during the monsoon.
• High rainfall in northern India was due to the convergence of western disturbances and storms from the Bay of Bengal.
• IMCTs, led by Joint Secretaries, will assess damage and relief measures in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Home Ministry provides logistical support, including NDRF deployment, Army personnel, and Air Force helicopters, to affected states.
• The central government provides financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) based on IMCT reports.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Cloudburst: An extreme amount of precipitation in a short period, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, that is capable of creating flood conditions.
• IMCT (Inter-Ministerial Central Team): A team constituted by the Union Home Ministry to assess damage in states affected by natural disasters.
• NDRF (National Disaster Response Fund): A fund available with the central government for disaster relief and management.